Final Exam Review World History B

1. Final Exam Review World History B

2. World War II Axis Powers • The Major Cause of WWII was Expansionism in Europe and the Pacific by Axis powers – Germany, Italy, Japan • In Germany Adolf Hitler, Germany acquired neighboring land in the Rhineland, Austria and Czechoslovakia using “Lebensraum” or “Living space” as rationale for expansion • Hitler also developed his Master race idea and began persecution of Jews (Nuremberg Laws, Kristalnacht) • Hitler also convinced the Germans that the West would not respond when terms of Treaty of Versailles were broken • Led by Mussolini, Italy expanded to Ethiopia in hopes rebuilding the Roman Empire • .

3. WWII Axis Powers - Japan • Japan’s Invasion of Manchuria initiated its expansionism in the Pacific in 1931 • The Rape of Nanking (1937-38) and other brutal military actions terrorized countries in the Pacific • The buildup of the Japanese military under Hideki Tojo prepared Japan for World War • The Axis Agreement signed with Germany, Italy Japan created the Axis partnership in WWII.

4. World War II Allied Powers • Allied powers of Britain, France and US not prepared to engage in war • Britain’s policy of appeasement (Neville Chamberlin and Munich Agreement) ineffective and ignored • US maintain policy of isolationism/neutrality • League of Nations not able to respond to aggression

5. KeyWWII Events in Europe • Germany’s invaded Poland in 1939 with Blitzkrieg military strategy (lightening war) and then occupied most of Europe by 1941 • A heroic evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940 saved 338, 000 Allied troops to fight again • Germany’s invasion of Russia in 1941-42 resulted in devastating losses in German 6th Army • Germany implemented “final solution” against Jews resulted in the extermination of about 6 million people in concentration camps • Normandy Invasion (D-Day) on June 6, 1944 brought American troops into war. Battle of the Bulge the last great German offensive in 1944 • V-E Day (Victory in Europe) May, 1945

6. Key Events in the Pacific • Japan attached Pearl Harbor, Hawaii December 7, 1941 • US President Roosevelt gives “Day in Infamy” the next day. US declares war on Japan then Germany and Italy due to Axis Agreement. • Battle of Midway key event in establishing naval superiority over Japan and turning point in pacific. • US utilizes “island hopping” strategy to attack Japanese • US drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in August,1945. Victory in Japan follows (V-J Day)

7. WWII on the Home front • The war was a total war which meant complete mobilization of resources. • Americans at home participated through rationing, war bonds, victory gardens, civil defense. • Changing role of women to support war effort (Rosie the Riveter) including participation in increased industrial production for war effort

8. WWII and Civil Rights • Japanese Americans placed in internment camps during war (Korematsu vs. US) • German and Italian resident aliens also faced persecution • Strong participation in war effort from minority groups (Tuskegee Airman, 442 Regimental team, Navajo Code Talkers)

9. WWII Outcomes • Allied powers Britain, France and US Victorious • Post-War Potsdam Conference of Big Three focus on free elections in Europe • Truman/Stalin disagree and Cold War begins • Marshall plan to restore economic stability in Europe • United Nations succeeds League of Nations

10. Cold War – A war of Ideas • Following Potsdam Conference the US (Truman) and USSR (Stalin) differing world views resulted in a cold war from 1945 – 1991 • The US favored democracy and an economic system of capitalism (private ownership) • The USSR favored communism and public ownership of all goods (by government) • Fear and anxiety of both countries resulted in high tension • Surrogate wars and events followed for 45 years

11. Cold War Military Alliances

12. US Policies during Cold War • During Cold War US foreign policy focused on containment (Truman Doctrine) to stop spread of communism throughout world • US supported pro-democracy alliances such as NATO, SEATO to stop communism from spreading • US Foreign policy such as the Domino Theory (SE Asia) or Eisenhower Doctrine (Middle East) further asserted an anti-communist message. • The Red Scare in the US heightened awareness and anxiety (McCarthyism, HUAC, role of FBI)

13. USSR Policies during Cold War • Led by Stalin, following WWII the USSR immediately occupies Eastern Europe (end to free elections). • An “Iron Curtain” divides Europe between Democratic and Communist countries. Berlin is further divided as a symbol of the cold war conflict. • The Warsaw Pact is an alliance of eastern European “puppet” governments controlled by the Soviets • Other policies such as the Brezhnev Doctrine assert communist influence in the world • Policies such as “détente” (easing of strained relations) and “perestroika” (restructuring) represented new views on the 1970’s and 1980’s about US relations

14. Cold War Conflicts • The US and USSR would never fight directly against one another but supported conflicts around the world with money and military. • Key Conflicts were the Korean War, Vietnam War, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs Crisis, and Cuban Missile Crisis. (The cuban missile crisis was the closed to direct conflict) • Other conflicts resulted in the space race (Sputnik I) and arms races to develop the most advanced systems. • Cold War Ended in 1991 due to break up of soviet republics a weakened soviet economy

15. 20th Century Nation-Building • The Chinese Civil War between the Communists (Mao Zedong) and Nationalists (Chang-kai –Shek) in 1949 led to communism in China and asserted greater influence on Cold War conflicts. • Post Colonialism began early in the century in Africa. Pan Africanism and Pan Arab Nationalism emerged as theme of unity in Africa.

16. 2oth Century Nation-Building • Modern Israel was established following WWII and heightened political tension in Middle East • Gamal Nasser modernized Egypt and nationalized control of Suez Canal (from Britain/France) • Religious Conflict between Catholics and protestants led to widespread violence in Northern Ireland • The North American Free Trade Agreement produced a cooperative trading relationship between the US and its neighbors